Best Months to Visit a U-Pick Farm by Region
Plan your u-pick farm visits with this month-by-month regional guide covering what crops are ripe, where to go, and when to plan your trips.
U-pick farming is a year-round activity in the United States — but not at every farm in every region simultaneously. Understanding when different regions hit their peak for various crops is essential for planning visits that actually result in a full bucket. This guide maps out the best months by region, crop by crop.
The American South
The South benefits from warm winters and early springs, giving it the earliest u-pick seasons in the country.
January Through March: Florida Strawberries
Plant City, Florida, is the nation's winter strawberry capital. U-pick farms in the area open as early as late December and run through March. This is the only region in the contiguous US where you can pick strawberries in January.
March Through May: Georgia and the Carolinas
March brings strawberry season to southern Georgia. April opens farms in the Carolinas. By May, peaches are starting in southern Georgia, and blueberries are coming in from farms across the region. May is arguably the most fruitful month in the Deep South for u-pick activities.
June and July: Peaches, Blueberries, Blackberries
South Carolina's legendary peach harvest rolls through June and July. Georgia and Mississippi blueberry farms are in full swing by June. Blackberries ripen in July across the entire South.
September Through November: Pumpkins and Apples
Fall brings pumpkin patches and apple orchards to the upper South — particularly North Carolina and Virginia. The mountains of western North Carolina have outstanding apple orchards that typically peak in September and October.
The Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey)
May and June: Strawberries
The Mid-Atlantic strawberry season is a beloved regional tradition. South Jersey farms in particular have decades of u-pick history. Peak season runs from mid-May through mid-June.
June and July: Blueberries, Cherries, Peaches
New Jersey blueberry season (late June through late July) is one of the best in the nation. Virginia and Pennsylvania peach orchards peak in July. Cherry picking in Pennsylvania and New York follows.
August and September: Late Peaches, Early Apples
The last of the peaches and the beginning of apple season overlap in August. Some orchards open for early apple varieties by late August.
September and October: Apples and Pumpkins
This is the peak season in the Mid-Atlantic. Apple orchards in the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia), Adams County (Pennsylvania), and throughout New Jersey are busy through October. Pumpkin patches open across the region.
November: Late Apples and Holiday Farms
Some orchards keep late-season varieties like Fuji and Granny Smith available through November. A few farms transition to Christmas tree operations.
The Midwest
June: Strawberries
Midwest strawberry season is compressed into June, with peak in early to mid-month. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri all have u-pick strawberry farms that open briefly.
July: Blueberries and Cherries
Michigan's cherry season — both sweet and tart — peaks in late June through mid-July. Michigan blueberry season overlaps and runs through August. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana have u-pick blueberry options through July.
August: Late Blueberries, Peaches, Sweet Corn
August brings late-season blueberries, peaches (in Missouri and Ohio), and sweet corn u-pick farms. Some farms offer tomato, bean, and vegetable picking through August.
September and October: Apples and Pumpkins
This is the heart of Midwest fall farming. Michigan apple orchards are beloved destinations for families from Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland. Illinois and Wisconsin pumpkin patches and apple farms draw large crowds in October.
November Through December: Christmas Trees
Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio have extensive choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms that open the weekend after Thanksgiving and run through December.
The Northeast (New England and New York)
June: Strawberries
New England strawberry season runs from mid-June through early July. It is brief and beloved — local farms sell out quickly on weekends.
July and August: Blueberries, Raspberries, Peaches
July brings blueberries to farms across New England and New York's Hudson Valley. Raspberries begin in late July. Peaches come in July and August in the warmer parts of the region (Connecticut, southern New York).
September and October: Apples
Apple season is the crown jewel of Northeast farming. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York all have exceptional orchard traditions. This is peak farm visit season in the region.
October: Pumpkins
Pumpkin patches often overlap with apple orchards, with many farms offering both during October.
November Through December: Christmas Trees
New England has charming choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms, particularly in Vermont and New Hampshire.
The Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington)
May and June: Strawberries
Oregon's Willamette Valley and Washington have early strawberry seasons, with farms opening in late May in Oregon and running through June.
June and July: Cherries and Blueberries
Washington's cherry harvest (one of the most celebrated in the world) peaks late June through July. Blueberry season in Whatcom County, Washington, runs from mid-July through September — one of the longest in the country.
August and September: Late Blueberries, Peaches, Apples
Washington apples — Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala — are available at u-pick orchards in the Wenatchee and Yakima areas from late August through October.
October: Apples and Pumpkins
The Cascade foothills have charming pumpkin operations, and apple picking extends well into October.
The Southwest and Mountain West
May: Strawberries and Early Crops
Desert-climate farms in Arizona and New Mexico can offer early strawberry seasons. Altitude variations create significant differences within states.
July and August: Peaches, Apples (High Altitude)
Colorado's Palisade peaches peak in July and August. Utah's high-altitude orchards produce cherries in July. Apple season in cooler mountain elevations begins in August.
October and November: Pumpkins and Late Apples
Pumpkin patches are popular fall activities in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.